In the past, I always had a very good opinion and impression of Kmart. They seemed to be eager to always offer the best possible deal to the people in general. So I generally purchased all kinds of goods from them and whenever I needed something my first mental reaction was “Let me check out K-Mart for the best deal, I am surely going to get it there.” And it would happen.

Under the influence of the inexorable progression of the age of Kali, this now seems to be changing on a downward trend. Kmart introduced new rules on the 1st of August 2024. Here is my story and experience:

Previously I had purchased a pair of shoes of K-mart for $10.00. These shoes were perfectly OK and I got the full value for my money. Consequently I purchased the same pair again.

I wore the second pair of shoes three times only:

The first time I just wore them walking out of the K-mart store. Immediately I had a bloodied right heel, which took a few days to heal.

The second time, was for my health-required daily walk in the park and I do not specifically remember any incidence. There may have been signs of things to come.

The third time again I went for my daily walk in the park. After the walk, I had one blisters on each of my feet. The blister on my left foot was quite big, perhaps 10 mm wide, and the second blister on my right foot was perhaps 5 mm wide. Additionally I had a sore sole, especially right hand, back sole. Obviously, I could and should not wear these shoes again and would have to return them for a refund. And that’s were the problems started. Clever lawyers will work out the technicalities of the approach.

First I met Ms Marie-Louise Howe, a “line manager”, at the Lismore Kmart “service desk”. Although I had found my receipt again in the very bottom of the original purchase bag, labelled “I am a keeper. Please reuse me. I am made from 80 % recycled plastic”, she absolutely refused to refund my $10.00, under the plea that the shoes had too much wear and tear. We had to interrupt further negotiations, as the time was 9 PM, store closing time. She advised me however to contact K-Mart Customer Service on 1800124125. I assume this office is situated in Melbourne. When I asked Marie-Louise to read the receipt, she replied that she was unable to do so because she didn’t carry her glasses.

Here we may challenge that if she requires glasses to see properly and is unable to read the receipt without her glasses, then how can she determine exactly the state of use of the shoes without her glasses? We may detect here some bad faith and a strong and overriding determination to NOT REFUND my miserly $10.00, whatever the case. But this is not all about money, as some people will think all the time. This is about integrity. This is about the legendary Australian Fair Dealing.

I may quote Alexander Hamilton, (1755/1795—1804), an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first U.S. secretary of the treasury from 1789 to 1795 during George Washington’s presidency, (info supplied by Wikipedia):

“A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master and deserves one.”


This matter was going to culminate the next day with David, one of the general managers of the Lismore, NSW store. I shall also assume here that the daily income of an average K Mart store is not less that AU$ 100.000 Please correct me if I am wrong.

Yes, I decided to go back the next day and meet David, one the general managers of the Lismore K Mart store. First of all, when requested, David declined to give me his surname. In his great wisdom, David found yet another reason to NOT REFUND. He indicated that my receipt was FAKE.

I felt very much insulted and told him so because he was directly accusing me of dishonest dealings with K Mart.

We detect here a blatant bad faith on the part of this co-manager of Kmart. Being a top echelon executive in the Kmart business, we would expect David to know everything about Kmart business, including Kmart receipts. The widely used thermal printing technology used to print these receipts allows the relatively rapid deterioration of the receipts. It is not the good, old and lasting ink and paper technology. In this way, and in many others, we are being short changed by modern technology. But again that is a Kmart and other parties’ problem and it is not at all fair that the customers be penalised for the use of defective technology. I am wondering whether ATO will not have, at times, problems with such thermal printed deteriorating receipts.

Next I tried Kmart Ballina and the manager in person, a lady of the name “JO” still gave the same reply “No”. I shall now try Kmart Headquarters and / or website.

Kmart cannot be counted in the group of globally trusted brands such Toyota, Apple, etc…… or the outstanding Australians such as ALDI, BUNNINGS, OFFICE WORKS and JB HI FI. REPCO also is populated by generous and well meaning individuals.

On the whole, the balance of benefit in this transaction is totally in favour of K mart.

I derived 4, at the maximum 5 hours of service from those shoes and I will never wear them again. Kmart gets to keep the total amount paid, i.e. $10. So where is fairness? Where is the legendary Australian fair go?

In simple words, in this transaction Kmart gets EVERTYHTING and I get NOTHING.

In my dictionary, this is a plain rip off!

Let it be known to all Australians consumers that Kmart does not mind, under certain circumstances, to rip us off.

Besides that, we may ALL be here a victim of substandard Chinese imports and that’s another big story. The other day my hoodie’s zipper just fell irreparably apart. I checked the label and yes “Made in China” it read. Another cheap sub-standart Chinese import. In this way we are being cheated not only out of our money, but also of our time, which after all is even more valuable than money, as no amount of money can buy us time. Have you ever come across a time shop???

But finally on the 10th of September 2024, at Kmart Tweeds Heads, after my x-ieme try, one outstanding Kmart-gentleman agreed to give me a credit voucher of 10 dollars for these useless, sub-standard Chinese import shoes. He agreed to give me his full name. But better not publish it, as he may be criticised by his co-worker even though his outstanding action is fully justified. He deserves to be congratulated by Kmart instead for keeping up the good name of the company for just $10.00. That’s a good deal for Kmart. Hare Krishna!

All is well that ends well. But thats because I am a traveler. Everyday Australians, sedentary people, the mums with kids, will not get this opportunity and WILL ACTUALLY GET RIPPED OFF. They need protection from these kinds of unfair dealings by the mercantile class.

Yesterday, October 8 th 2024, Kmart gave me a chance to acquire a pair of China made boots. Label says: Boot so Rainboot. Black. Mens footwear. I was the last pair at Kmart Noosa Junction and the size was 13, which gives easy slip in and easy slip out feature just like a pair of thongs. That is very welcome. My normal size is 11. No leather either, which we, Hare Krishnas, avoid for non-violence reasons. All synthetic. And the bang lies in the price: a whooping $ 8.00, yes, you heard me right: $8.00 only, discounted from $25.00. Even the sales guy couldn’t believe it when his handheld computer gave him $8.00. I was looking for this type of boots for a long time. It’s just perfect for the rainy days. So on the whole, I have to admit, Kmart wins. My confidence in Kmart is now fully re-established. All glories to Kmart! Now I have $2.00 left only on my original $10 credit voucher. What other miracle is Kmart going to perform for these remaining $2.00? That is the question. Please stay tuned……..

Different companies send at different times to their consumers a survey to gauge their impact. This is the most comprehensive survey I have ever done. And the result is very positive for the company Kmart. And I am happy for them. After all:” Errare human est”, which is Latin for “To err is human.” As long as the intention is good, beneficial and benevolent, even though we may err, it will be fixed to everyone’s satisfaction at the end.

Just like our respected Prime Minister himself, Anthony Albanese, apologised for his “unkind and hurtful” comment using the Tourette disease. Full wording of the apology by the Prime Minister:

“Today in question time I made comments so unkind and hurtful. I knew it was wrong as soon as I made the comment. I apologised and I withdrew as soon as I said it. But it should not have happened. I also want to apologise to all Australians who suffer from this disability. I regret saying it. It was wrong. It was insensitive and I apologise.”

The Krishna Conscious Observer. (KCO)